What’s Great About Baseball

By Bryan Redemske, on October 18th, 2008

This picture is from Thursday night, when the Red Sox rose from the dead and pushed the ALCS back to Tampa. And this is Jonathan Papelbon, who pitched two scoreless innings according to the linescore, but allowed a pair of inherited runners to score to make it 7-0.

But when your team comes all the way back despite your handiwork, you get to run out on the field and do things like this, or whatever Papelbon is doing above. I fear he may be slightly crazy.

Spotted Friday: Jimmy Rollins with a World Series patch. Also, Mike Timlin was here. Of course, he could just be trying to hide from Papelbon. — Bryan

[/quote][quote comment=”295357″][quote comment=”295356″][quote comment=”295353″][quote comment=”295352″]Isn’t this Pedroia and not Timlin?[/quote]

Trying to fix the html.[/quote]

That is 100% Pedroia and not Timlin…Pedroia wears an Easton glove (shown)…Timlin wears the camo print Franklin glove[/quote]

Yeah, I know that’s Pedroia.[/quote]

wait…what?

Mr. Met|
October 18, 2008 at 11:32 am |

Douchebag or not, the Mets sure could have used Jon Papelbon this year. And last. And quite honestly, if he would have won us a World Series, I don’t really care how stupid he looks dancing and celebrating.

LarenR|
October 18, 2008 at 11:40 am |

[quote comment=”295355″]Some behind the scenes of Mr. Met at the Debate:

[quote comment=”295359″]Douchebag or not, the Mets sure could have used Jon Papelbon this year. And last. And quite honestly, if he would have won us a World Series, I don’t really care how stupid he looks dancing and celebrating.[/quote]

totally true…hell…they could have used ambiorix burgos, too…we’ll see him in…oh…3-6 years or so…

could have used lights out or mo or even eric gagme…

doesn’t make papelbon any less a douchebag tho…but…at least he would have been “our” douchebag ;)

Mr. Met|
October 18, 2008 at 11:47 am |

[quote comment=”295361″]totally true…hell…they could have used ambiorix burgos, too…we’ll see him in…oh…3-6 years or so…[/quote]

I wonder if when he goes out on the mound to pitch, Ambiorix pumps himself up by envisioning the batter with his girlfriend’s face……

Baseball players (trying) to play music goes back a long way; there were Pepper Martin’s Mudcats with the “Gas House Gang” Cardinals… and Pepper (with the cowboy hat) was occasionally “out of uniform”, as well…

And this is Jonathan Papelbon, who pitched two scoreless innings according to the linescore, but allowed a pair of inherited runners to score to make it 7-0.

He came in with 2 on and nobody out. Had to face Upton, Pena and Longoria. He did alright.

Ricko|
October 18, 2008 at 1:57 pm |

[quote comment=”295368″][quote comment=”295366″]If this is what Da Raiders are going to be wearing next year, it’s not so bad if they have a black outline. It definitely makes the number easier to read.

This was a black and white photo hand-colored by someone who didn’t know his ass from a hashmark. A uni that never was. It’s ’63 uni photo tinted based on the previous team colors.http://www.remembertheafl.com/images/1964Topps138Gibson250w.jpg
Numbers and pants were silver. And they didn’t use gold tape to hold up their black socks, for pete’s sake.

—Ricko

S. Bennett|
October 18, 2008 at 2:05 pm |

[quote comment=”295359″]Douchebag or not, the Mets sure could have used Jon Papelbon this year. And last. And quite honestly, if he would have won us a World Series, I don’t really care how stupid he looks dancing and celebrating.[/quote]

You only get to make an idiot of yourself dancing and celebrating if you have something to celebrate. Fair play to him.

By the way, Dimitar Berbatov (Manchester United) is wearing a long sleeve undershirt with thumb holes in it.

[quote comment=”295364″]Bryan, Papelbon pitched well in that game, and all season. He can celebrate however he wants. How ’bout we stick to writing about biking?[/quote]
Doing whatever it takes to help your team win and douchebaggery are not mutually exclusive concepts.

Lwiedy|
October 18, 2008 at 2:47 pm |

[quote comment=”295378″][quote comment=”295359″]Douchebag or not, the Mets sure could have used Jon Papelbon this year. And last. And quite honestly, if he would have won us a World Series, I don’t really care how stupid he looks dancing and celebrating.[/quote]

You only get to make an idiot of yourself dancing and celebrating if you have something to celebrate. Fair play to him.

SB[/quote]

So what was he celebrating with his idiotic statements about deserving to close the ASG? And spare me the “he’s just a competitor” nonsense, the first and only answer to the question is “Mo should close”. He said what he said because he’s a douchbag.

That being said, HE A GREAT CLOSER (except against Triple-A outfielders with the division on the line in Sept.) and HE IS A DOUCHBAG.

One does not need to state both points when stating one.

Ben|
October 18, 2008 at 2:47 pm |

[quote comment=”295371″]North Carolina will have a line around the bottom of their basketball shorts this year.

The “oh, you’re on the team now” argument is so played out. I’m fairly confident that every person reading this site has said “we” to refer to one of his or her favorite teams, so don’t act like you’re above it just because you don’t have a real comeback to a guy who is proud to have papelbon pitching for his favorite team.

Brian|
October 18, 2008 at 5:55 pm |

FACT:
Papelbon is a great closer whose proven he can pitch effectively in immense pressure situations numerous times.
FACT:
Papelbon does thing on the field during games that can seem arrogant or show-offish.
FACT:
So do a lot of athletes. It’s a part of sports.

[quote comment=”295396″]The “oh, you’re on the team now” argument is so played out. I’m fairly confident that every person reading this site has said “we” to refer to one of his or her favorite teams, so don’t act like you’re above it just because you don’t have a real comeback to a guy who is proud to have papelbon pitching for his favorite team.[/quote]

Count me in the “never said we” category. I’m not on the team. I have nothing to do with the success of the team. I’ve never impacted a game. They don’t care if I watch or don’t watch.

It’s they, not we.

Brian|
October 18, 2008 at 6:01 pm |

[quote comment=”295348″]Piece about the WS patches and the Phillies’ uniforms on the news last night.

abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/sports&id=6456070[/quote]
Interesting.
As far as the patches/logos go, I really like them this year. Much better then those weird box/horizontal designs they started using in 2004.

Greg V.|
October 18, 2008 at 6:08 pm |

Who wears short shorts? Apparently Michigan State does. They did Friday Night Flashback at Midnight Madness yesterday. They look terrible, but at least they didn’t do a half-assed job like the Lakers did and wear long shorts underneath.

Penn State’s “S” made in the student section is pink this week instead of the usual blue for breast cancer awareness.

My Name is Not Earl|
October 18, 2008 at 6:30 pm |

Another problem with those Michigan State “thowback” unis: They only wore the “script State” on the white home jerseys. The road greens had “Michigan State” on them.

scott|
October 18, 2008 at 6:45 pm |

[quote comment=”295399″][quote comment=”295348″]Piece about the WS patches and the Phillies’ uniforms on the news last night.

abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/sports&id=6456070[/quote]
Interesting.
As far as the patches/logos go, I really like them this year. Much better then those weird box/horizontal designs they started using in 2004.[/quote]

The diamond shape for the patches is a nice touch.

Johnny F.|
October 18, 2008 at 6:48 pm |

I just wanted to let my fellow uniwatchers know, that I was on center stage, right behind Barack Obama during his campaing rally in Roanoke, VA, yesterday.

Some uniwatch-worthy notes… I had a blue hooded sweatshirt, with the Giants’ helmet logo “NY” on, which is visible all over the news, newspapers, websites, etc. Gotta represent! I was also wearing an orange “VT” hat, as they wanted a “Virginia Tech look” to some of the stage crowd. Also, there were many “homemade” signs, that we were all given by the campaign staff. They really look like they were done by elementary school students, but the placement of these signs, and who is holding them, is a science to these guys. Each sign had a front and a back. The front of my sign said, “Vote For Change”, and the back of my sign said “Job Seeker 4 Obama”…both different styles in writing/drawing. I also grabbed a sign that said “Outdoorsmen love Obama, and the Moose does too!” With a drawn picture of a Moose. On the back of that sign, it said “Booklovers for Obama”. Everyone also received the staple “A Need for Change” blue commercial campaign signs.

If you guys have other uniwatch questions,about the event, I’d be glad to answer. You can see some of the pics here…I’m in the 1st 2, and very visible in the Giants sweatshirt.

Houston Chronicle has a ugly uni gallery online. No surprises. Nothing that hasn’t been discussed here before. They have the Jets “Titans” uni on it which I really liked.

Matt S|
October 18, 2008 at 7:16 pm |

Not trying to instigate but… although I agree that Papelbon is a good player, it cannot be denied that he is a grade A douchebag. That said, if he played for the team I root for, I would probably be able to overlook it too.

Cosmo|
October 18, 2008 at 7:23 pm |

I don’t think Papelbon is a douchebag at all… I just think he’s a great pitcher who loves baseball and loves to have fun… and is kind of a goofball. I’m a big fan of the guy.

Stuby|
October 18, 2008 at 7:24 pm |

[quote comment=”295400″]Who wears short shorts? Apparently Michigan State does. They did Friday Night Flashback at Midnight Madness yesterday. They look terrible, but at least they didn’t do a half-assed job like the Lakers did and wear long shorts underneath.

[quote comment=”295398″][quote comment=”295396″]The “oh, you’re on the team now” argument is so played out. I’m fairly confident that every person reading this site has said “we” to refer to one of his or her favorite teams, so don’t act like you’re above it just because you don’t have a real comeback to a guy who is proud to have papelbon pitching for his favorite team.[/quote]

Count me in the “never said we” category. I’m not on the team. I have nothing to do with the success of the team. I’ve never impacted a game. They don’t care if I watch or don’t watch.

It’s they, not we.[/quote]

Then why do you bother commenting about “their” uniforms if you don’t care that much. Being a fan of a team means you accept a little “we”

Not only is that Pedroia – and not Timlin – (and,yes, I understand what you were attempting to imply), but Pedroia is clearly wearing the camo in the clubhouse watching the Papelbon “Dirty Dancing” video

[quote comment=”295416″][quote comment=”295415″]TBS can go to hell…oh yea I really want to watch the Steve Harvey Show instead of the Rays.[/quote]

yeah…WTF is up with that?

i thought i was the only one…

/steve harvey innt funny[/quote]

Supposidly there is a power outage in ATL but all the other ATL channels work. You can go to MLB.COM and they have something called the hot corner wich shows the game plus no announcers.

S. Bennett|
October 18, 2008 at 8:27 pm |

[quote comment=”295398″][quote comment=”295396″]The “oh, you’re on the team now” argument is so played out. I’m fairly confident that every person reading this site has said “we” to refer to one of his or her favorite teams, so don’t act like you’re above it just because you don’t have a real comeback to a guy who is proud to have papelbon pitching for his favorite team.[/quote]

Count me in the “never said we” category. I’m not on the team. I have nothing to do with the success of the team. I’ve never impacted a game. They don’t care if I watch or don’t watch.

[quote comment=”295419″][quote comment=”295398″][quote comment=”295396″]The “oh, you’re on the team now” argument is so played out. I’m fairly confident that every person reading this site has said “we” to refer to one of his or her favorite teams, so don’t act like you’re above it just because you don’t have a real comeback to a guy who is proud to have papelbon pitching for his favorite team.[/quote]

Count me in the “never said we” category. I’m not on the team. I have nothing to do with the success of the team. I’ve never impacted a game. They don’t care if I watch or don’t watch.

It’s they, not we.[/quote]

I owned shares in my favourite team. That’s a “we”. Piss off.

SB[/quote]
Would you use ‘we’ if you owned shares in Coca-Cola? “Like, we’re really killing it with that new Coke Zero”

Ricko|
October 18, 2008 at 8:42 pm |

Has there been a better name for a Longhorn quarterback than “Colt McCoy”?

All this arguing over Papelbon misses the central truth. The guy is a dolt. Unintelligent. Dumber than a sack of doorknobs. Etc.

Never attribute to malice (or douchery) what can be explained by stupidity.

Johnny F.|
October 18, 2008 at 9:29 pm |

You know what, Ricko? That is a damn cool idea. I’m sure we all have our favorite brand of plain sweatshirt/t-shirt…and you could make it very cool/unique, by buying some cool old school patches. Heck, I’d probably end up making something for $10, that I’d buy for $20 or $30.

Question- Do you have a sewing machine, or do it by hand? If you do, do you recommend one? Something cheap, small, simple maybe?

Anyway- love it man, great links.

Johnny F.|
October 18, 2008 at 9:31 pm |

[quote comment=”295430″]All this arguing over Papelbon misses the central truth. The guy is a dolt. Unintelligent. Dumber than a sack of doorknobs. Etc.

Never attribute to malice (or douchery) what can be explained by stupidity.[/quote]

Dumb guys win big games in October….I was convinced for years that Manny kicked ass in the fall, b/c he never really grasped how important the game was. As a sports fan- does it really matter the guy’s IQ if he wins big games?

Or maybe, he’s a GENIUS, and he realizes how unimportant the game is in the grand scheme? Maybe Paps is a genius!?!?

[quote comment=”295431″]You know what, Ricko? That is a damn cool idea. I’m sure we all have our favorite brand of plain sweatshirt/t-shirt…and you could make it very cool/unique, by buying some cool old school patches. Heck, I’d probably end up making something for $10, that I’d buy for $20 or $30.

Question- Do you have a sewing machine, or do it by hand? If you do, do you recommend one? Something cheap, small, simple maybe?

Anyway- love it man, great links.[/quote]

Exactly. Sucks to spend big money on a hoody/sweat or tee and it fits like hell. Not to mention “defunct/vintage” stuff is really tough to locate, largely cuz it doesn’t exist.

Most of the patches these days are iron-ons. But that doesn’t always stand up to washing. I can’t sew worth a damn, but I sit here watching TV and sorta tack them down with a needle and thread. Wash the clothing first, of course, cuz always gonna shrink a little. I have a ton of one-off hats I’ve made, for example. My theory? Can’t find a New England Whalers hat? Well, if you’re enterprising, find a patch and forest green blank and just MAKE one. Then, when someone asks, “Where the hell did you find THAT?” just shrug your shoulders and smile. LOL

Ricko|
October 18, 2008 at 9:47 pm |

[quote comment=”295430″]All this arguing over Papelbon misses the central truth. The guy is a dolt. Unintelligent. Dumber than a sack of doorknobs. Etc.

Never attribute to malice (or douchery) what can be explained by stupidity.[/quote]

Heard this description the other day, and love it.
“Dumb as a box of hair.”

Johnny F.|
October 18, 2008 at 9:50 pm |

[quote comment=”295435″][quote comment=”295431″]You know what, Ricko? That is a damn cool idea. I’m sure we all have our favorite brand of plain sweatshirt/t-shirt…and you could make it very cool/unique, by buying some cool old school patches. Heck, I’d probably end up making something for $10, that I’d buy for $20 or $30.

Question- Do you have a sewing machine, or do it by hand? If you do, do you recommend one? Something cheap, small, simple maybe?

Anyway- love it man, great links.[/quote]

Exactly. Sucks to spend big money on a hoody/sweat or tee and it fits like hell. Not to mention “defunct/vintage” stuff is really tough to locate, largely cuz it doesn’t exist.

Most of the patches these days are iron-ons. But that doesn’t always stand up to washing. I can’t sew worth a damn, but I sit here watching TV and sorta tack them down with a needle and thread. Wash the clothing first, of course, cuz always gonna shrink a little. I have a ton of one-off hats I’ve made, for example. My theory? Can’t find a New England Whalers hat? Well, if you’re enterprising, find a patch and forest green blank and just MAKE one. Then, when someone asks, “Where the hell did you find THAT?” just shrug your shoulders and smile. LOL[/quote]

LOL. I love it. I must say, I’m slightly disappointed in myself for not thinking of it sooner. As a sports guy, who loves the vintage stuff (and is on an extreme budget getting my Master’s in Education), it’s an awesome idea.

I was even thinking of getting some smaller patches, and sewing them on the pocket of a dress shirt of something. How cool would that be?

“Kids, the patch on my polo shirt is from the NHL, in the 1940’s. If you can guess the city, you get 5 points extra on the quiz. City AND nickname, and you get 10”.

Get the next generation uni-watching, early!

Once again, great stuff man!

Justin|
October 18, 2008 at 10:08 pm |

I say “we” for The Bruins, Red Sox, Patriots, and Celtics. I feel like they’re our teams and represent New England. Is it so wrong to feel that connection with them? A lot of people up here say we. Maybe that’s a New England thing?

P.S. Papelbon’s not a douchebag, he’s a riot and I think we all know someone like him.

[quote comment=”295438″]I say “we” for The Bruins, Red Sox, Patriots, and Celtics. I feel like they’re our teams and represent New England. Is it so wrong to feel that connection with them? A lot of people up here say we. Maybe that’s a New England thing?

P.S. Papelbon’s not a douchebag, he’s a riot and I think we all know someone like him.[/quote]

As someone who watches today’s relatively “personality-less” Twins (Mark Redmond excepted) and remembers Twins teams with Puckett, Hrbek and even Gaetti (who once, after his error had cost the team a game, said, “It’s tough to throw with both hands around your throat”)…

[quote comment=”295424″]Since this is being discussed, I’ve never referred to any of the professional sports franchises I root for as “we” but I do refer to Indiana University athletic teams as “we” because I am an alumnus.[/quote]
Addendum: WE are currently getting OUR asses kicked.

Ricko|
October 18, 2008 at 10:36 pm |

[quote comment=”295442″][quote comment=”295424″]Since this is being discussed, I’ve never referred to any of the professional sports franchises I root for as “we” but I do refer to Indiana University athletic teams as “we” because I am an alumnus.[/quote]
Addendum: WE are currently getting OUR asses kicked.[/quote]

Indiana? Well, Illinois probably a little cranky after that loss to Minnesota.

Or Missouri? I know the game isn’t as close as Sawx-Rays, but Colt McCoy is have an unbelievable night.

Ricko|
October 18, 2008 at 10:39 pm |

[quote comment=”295443″][quote comment=”295442″][quote comment=”295424″]Since this is being discussed, I’ve never referred to any of the professional sports franchises I root for as “we” but I do refer to Indiana University athletic teams as “we” because I am an alumnus.[/quote]
Addendum: WE are currently getting OUR asses kicked.[/quote]

Indiana? Well, Illinois probably a little cranky after that loss to Minnesota.

Or Missouri? I know the game isn’t as close as Sawx-Rays, but Colt McCoy is have an unbelievable night.[/quote]

That’s just Manny being a Met.
Here the talk is about “Manny-Sota”. Riiiight. Pohland wouldn’t spend eight bucks to keep someone from cutting off his toes.[/quote]

manny fits all nine requirements of playing for omar…to wit:

1) be latin
2) play the outfield
3) be old
4) be latin
5) prove that you have been clutch in the past
6) be a player who desires a long term, inflated contract that will be longer than the remaining years he will be actually be effective
7) be latin
8) prove that you can play well against our rivals
9) be latin

That’s just Manny being a Met.
Here the talk is about “Manny-Sota”. Riiiight. Pohland wouldn’t spend eight bucks to keep someone from cutting off his toes.[/quote]

manny fits all nine requirements of playing for omar…to wit:

1) be latin
2) play the outfield
3) be old
4) be latin
5) prove that you have been clutch in the past
6) be a player who desires a long term, inflated contract that will be longer than the remaining years he will be actually be effective
7) be latin
8) prove that you can play well against our rivals
9) be latin[/quote]

Now don’t jump on LI Phil for saying, “our rivals”. He was speaking as Omar.

[quote comment=”295444″][quote comment=”295443″][quote comment=”295442″][quote comment=”295424″]Since this is being discussed, I’ve never referred to any of the professional sports franchises I root for as “we” but I do refer to Indiana University athletic teams as “we” because I am an alumnus.[/quote]
Addendum: WE are currently getting OUR asses kicked.[/quote]

Indiana? Well, Illinois probably a little cranky after that loss to Minnesota.

Or Missouri? I know the game isn’t as close as Sawx-Rays, but Colt McCoy is have an unbelievable night.[/quote]

I know is Indiana, just thought McCoy’s night is worth plugging. LOL[/quote]Illinois might be a bit cranky after the loss to the Gophers, but I’m guessing the Hoosiers just want this season to be over after their loss, excuse me, OUR loss to Iowa.

Illinois in orange makes that game look like someone’s collection of their two favorite Fruit Chewies.

thorold blair|
October 18, 2008 at 11:25 pm |

[quote comment=\”295411\”][quote comment=\”295398\”][quote comment=\”295396\”]The \”oh, you\’re on the team now\” argument is so played out. I\’m fairly confident that every person reading this site has said \”we\” to refer to one of his or her favorite teams, so don\’t act like you\’re above it just because you don\’t have a real comeback to a guy who is proud to have papelbon pitching for his favorite team.[/quote]

Count me in the \”never said we\” category. I\’m not on the team. I have nothing to do with the success of the team. I\’ve never impacted a game. They don\’t care if I watch or don\’t watch.

It\’s they, not we.[/quote]

Then why do you bother commenting about \”their\” uniforms if you don\’t care that much. Being a fan of a team means you accept a little \”we\”[/quote]

That makes no sense at all. They\’re still the teams uniforms. I don\’t have any say in the uniforms, there for they\’re not mine. I have nothing to do with the success or lack thereof of the team. Even if I wear the authentic jersey I\’m fairly confident they\’re not going to ask me to play. If you refer to you favorite team as \”we\” you may in fact be a bigger douchebag that papelbon. \”We\” is just an attempt to belong to something you don\’t belong to.

LarenR|
October 18, 2008 at 11:31 pm |

[quote comment=”295436″][quote comment=”295430″]All this arguing over Papelbon misses the central truth. The guy is a dolt. Unintelligent. Dumber than a sack of doorknobs. Etc.

Never attribute to malice (or douchery) what can be explained by stupidity.[/quote]

Heard this description the other day, and love it.
“Dumb as a box of hair.”[/quote]
“Dumber than a bag of hammers…without handles.”

DouginGA|
October 18, 2008 at 11:47 pm |

[quote comment=”295422″]Has there been a better name for a Longhorn quarterback than “Colt McCoy”?

Although, “Major Applewhite” was pretty appropriate, too.[/quote]

Those are both good. There used to be a WR for Texas named Bill Boy Bryant (classic!). There is or was a recent (I think he may have been booted off the team) Tennessee QB named Jim Bob Cooter. Hands down the BEST name in CFB!

[quote comment=”295452″][quote comment=”295422″]Has there been a better name for a Longhorn quarterback than “Colt McCoy”?

Although, “Major Applewhite” was pretty appropriate, too.[/quote]

Those are both good. There used to be a WR for Texas named Bill Boy Bryant (classic!). There is or was a recent (I think he may have been booted off the team) Tennessee QB named Jim Bob Cooter. Hands down the BEST name in CFB![/quote]

Was thinking about ol’ Bill Boy earlier (#80, maybe?). Years ago was wideout named Cotton Speyrer, too (#88) And, of course, the classic WR combo of Donnie Little and Herkie Walls, #1 and #11. Never can remember which was which, LOL. Think Little was 11 cuz he wore 10 with Ottawa in CFL.

Also appreciate that Texas doesn’t mess with unis…except flipflopping between black shoes and white shoes. And I kinda miss the striped pants of the Earl Campbell era (ahhh, “The Tyler Rose”; one of the last great nicknames of that ilk).

=bg=|
October 19, 2008 at 1:07 am |

[quote comment=”295452″][quote comment=”295422″]Has there been a better name for a Longhorn quarterback than “Colt McCoy”?

Although, “Major Applewhite” was pretty appropriate, too.[/quote]

Those are both good. There used to be a WR for Texas named Bill Boy Bryant (classic!). There is or was a recent (I think he may have been booted off the team) Tennessee QB named Jim Bob Cooter. Hands down the BEST name in CFB![/quote]

NO way. Jim Bob Cooter? Probably born with a football in the crib. But yeah, Colt McCoy is a great QB name. Probably dates the head cheerleader, too.